Been reading alot recently about clamping companies re-registering and then selling on seized cars.

What would happen if the victim were then to see said vehicle parked at the side of the road, and got in and drove off in it with a spare key?

Surely it can't be theft, as it was not legally sold.

If a car's sold on then, as happens now with HPI, whoever ends up with it when the music stops is stuffed - you sue them for the return of your property and you get it back.

In reply to your question, this arises because we tend to use terms loosely when in law they are tightly defined. You cannot steal your own property or, to be pedantic, property that you own.


HCA

I don't quite see how they can sell your car anyway. If you've been clamped and towed, surely you owe them the clamping release fee + storage costs. If you don't pay they could sue you and hold the car indefinitely, but selling the car would be selling property for an alleged debt no? They would need to go through county court like the rest of us?

Selling would show intention to permanently deprive, therefore theft.